Death Flute
Black Bamboo Flute

Everyone liked Chi Meng Huan; the boy was clever, friendly and could carry himself very well. Only Uncle Khung had been cold to Meng Huan from the beginning. But no one noticed this because Uncle Khung was indeed not a friendly person.

Chien Wan was the only one who realized this. “Why doesn't Uncle like him? He's good.”

Uncle Khung shrugged. “Entahlah. There's something I don't like about that kid,”. “Already. Instead of talking about the kid, you better try playing that song you just created!”

Chien Wan nodded. After two years he lived in Wisma Bambu, and almost two years also he learned the flute from Uncle Khung, he has managed to create a beautiful song. He concentrated for a moment, then brought the flute to his lips. Slowly the flute was blown.

The song Chien Wan played was amazing! The sound produced varies and blends into a dazzling tone. Sometimes like the sound of water gurgling, sometimes the sound of birds chirping, even the sound of rustling leaves swayed by the wind. What a heart-wrenching tone.

The tone made Uncle Khung barely able to withstand the outpouring of tears and pain that hit his heart. He had to admit that this child was more talented than him. Much bigger! At only twelve years old, he had already managed to create such a song. Her chest feels tight. Is this his name if not destiny?

When Chien Wan finished his game, Uncle Khung held onto both of his shoulders and said solemnly, “Chien Wan, it feels futile that this incredible talent of yours is left to it. You must get educated from the experts!”

Chien Wan was stunned at Uncle Khung's words.

“What according to Uncle, I'm talented?”

“Of course!” exclaim Uncle Khung. “You're talented. Very talented!”

“Then, who does Uncle mean by ‘ahliya’?” chien Wan asked confusedly.

Uncle Khung looks worried. His pair of sharp eyes looked at Chien Wan with a strange look. Then he closed his eyes and sighed. “Chien Wan, have you heard of Nada Valley?”

Chien Wan frowned. “Looks like the Great Lord once called it. But...” He fell silent, thinking whether it was appropriate for him to express his astonishment at Mr. Luo's attitude when he mentioned the Nada Valley.

“What, Chien Wan?”

“Looks like the Big Lord doesn't like that place,” says Chien Wan is slow.

Uncle Khung shook his head. “This is indeed a matter of weight,” murmured.

“Trouble?”

“Already.” Uncle Khung changed his sad attitude to stiff as usual. “Tone Valley is a great place to develop your talents! There are music experts who successfully combine musical skills with high-level silat science. Only people with extraordinary talent can do it,” he explained.

“Are there people there as great as Uncle?” ask Chien Wan innocent.

Uncle Khung snorted laughing. “Listen, Chien Wan,” said after his laughter subsided, “aku is absolutely nothing compared to them. Especially Mr. Ouwyang Cu, the master. Incidentally he was also an incredible distiller. Only now he has resigned from that position. His successor was his son, Mr. Ouwyang Kuan who was a harpist. People in Nada Valley are usually trained to master various musical instruments, but must determine one musical instrument that is a mainstay.”

Chien Wan was stunned. His interest in the Nada Valley ever since he first heard about the place became even deeper.

“You must find a way to become a member of Nada Valley!”

Chien Wan was shocked. “But, how to?” yells. “I am just a waiter. Where might be allowed to leave Wisma Bambu to study in... in a place that Hated Big Master?”

Uncle Khung's attitude became alarmed. “What did Mr Luo say that he hated the Valley of Tones?”

Chien Wan shook her head. “Not so. It was just that. as Miss Ting Ting asked, The Great Lord became angry and did not want to call it again.”

The mood became quiet. For a few moments they kept silent. Each one was deep in his thoughts. Chien Wan looked at Uncle Khung, astonished to see the old man's forehead wrinkled deeply. He wanted to ask, but did not want to disturb Uncle Khung's mind.

Finally Uncle Khung looked back at him. He pulled something out from under his sleeve. It was slim and long, pitch-black and shiny. A flute!

Chien Wan's eyes were wide. How amazing is that flute!

“A few weeks ago I found a strange bamboo stick from a bamboo grove to the north of the Bamboo Forest. This bamboo stem is black, different from other stems. At first I thought this trunk was charred or something, but it wasn't. Black color is just because of natural wonders alone,” the story of Uncle Khung. Then he looked at Chien Wan softly. “This bamboo reminds me of you. You always wear black, and you always look different than your friends. I think this bamboo is suitable to be made into distilled.”

Chien Wan is devastated.

Uncle Khung held out the flute in front of Chien Wan. “This is for you. Take!”

With hands trembling in astonishment, Chien Wan picked it up. “For me?”

“Ya.”

Chien Wan looked at the Black Bamboo Flute with fascination. He lifted the flute to his lips, and then began to blow it. The sounding tone really surprised him. It sounded so clear and loud. This flute is really great!

“Sulingku... flute mine alone...!” muttered Chien Wan while gripping the flute tightly.

\*\*\*

“What does Uncle Khung mean?!” exclaimed Mister Luo riled.

“Master has heard my request,” says Uncle Khung is humble.

“Send someone to find out what happened with my sister in the past!” grunt Master Luo. “Not making sense!”

“Of course it makes sense, Sir,” to Uncle Khung.

Just then they spoke in Master Luo's study. Uncle Khung met him and said he wanted to talk about a problem with him, so he told the children to start training without him. How shocked Master Luo was because what Uncle Khung was talking about was about sending spies to the Nada Valley.

“Explain what Uncle Khung meant!”

“Didn't you always seek treatment for Miss Sui She? To my knowledge, mental illness cannot be cured without knowing the root cause of the problem that caused him to become like this. Well, what's wrong if we send someone to investigate this matter? Someone who will easily earn their trust. Someone who has the requirements to be accepted in Nada Valley.”

Master Luo's eyes widened. This never occurred to him.

“Fourteen years ago Miss Sui She went to become a member of Nada Valley. Two years later he returned home in a state of memory. We never know what happened because the Nada Valley people did not give an explanation, while we were too sad and hurt to come there to hold it accountable. Now is the time,” says Uncle Khung at length.

“But...”.

“Nona Sui She's been sick for too long. He suffered, Sir. Can you keep seeing him like that?”

Mr. Luo kicked off his desk. “Of course not! I really love Sui She. Seeing it like that breaks my heart.”

“Then, we have to do it.”

“Who should carry out this task?” Mr. Luo sat in his study chair listlessly. Uncle Khung is right. There is no other way but to implement this proposal.

“Chien Wan.”

Master Luo's sluggishness vanished. His forehead wrinkled. “Chien Wan?” yells.

“That child is fit for this task, Mr.”

“But he is still small and has nothing special. How could I possibly have told him to go into the tiger's den?”

“Chien Wan talented music.”

“Where did you know?” Master Luo's eyes narrowed.

“I taught him to blow the flute,” I'm Uncle Khung.

Mr. Luo was getting more astonished. “I didn't know Uncle Khung could blow the flute.”

“My ability is very low. My game is not special, where might I show it off to Mister?” kilah Uncle Khung. “Chien Wan once saw me blow a flute and had me teach him. It turns out that he really likes and is good at playing that musical instrument.”

Master Luo nodded. “Good. Even if I agreed, wouldn't the Nada Valley only accept members from outside if that person was already over sixteen?”

“Then, we have four more years to galvanize Chien Wan with silat so that she can take care of herself.”

Mr. Luo thought about it.

That's when the screams came from the yard.

Seriate.